Evening garbage collection in the Marrickville service area will save money and improve services

Thursday 21 February 2019

Inner West Council will introduce a night-time garbage collection in former Marrickville Council area later this year, which will result in better services and significant cost savings.

The new service is one outcome of the on-going Outdoor Services Review.

The preliminary findings of the Review identified a potential capital saving of $1.5 million by moving waste collection to a double-shift arrangement, which currently operates in former Leichhardt Council area.

This savings are generated by reducing the number of garbage trucks sitting idle in Council yards during the day, which will significantly decrease plant costs, and services will be improved by harmonising working arrangements.

Savings will be redirected into expanded waste services, such as separated organics collections, and new strategies that will help Council become a zero-waste community.

“In broad terms, the double shift means most households in the Marrickville service area will have their bins collected in the morning, and one third in the afternoon or evening,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.

“This is an example of working smarter to save millions of dollars in ratepayers’ money, with no reduction in services.

“We can introduce an afternoon/evening garbage collection with minimal disruption to the community – but plenty of benefits through cost-savings and better overall services.

“We’ll make sure we do everything possible to communicate this change to the community to minimise any possible confusion,” Mayor Byrne said.

The new evening waste collection service is due to commence later this year.

For more information, contact Elizabeth Heath on 02 9392 5334.